On the steps of borough hall Thursday, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz led a coalition of politicians and residents on board with a plan to get the MTA to add more options for straphangers during the upcoming repairs.

"It is inexcusable for MTA not to be proactive," said Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President.

They say the MTA is not prepared for a ripple effect that will lead to overcrowding that will spread through the system.

"The MTA should do everything to ease the burden on passengers in Manhattan," Stringer said.

Beginning in August, the R train tunnel between Brooklyn and Manhattan will close for 14 months.

And the G train tunnel between Brooklyn and Queens will close for 12 weekends this year and five consecutive weeks in 2014.

MTA officials counter the criticism by insisting they've thought through the options.

"We'll have a shuttle bus running as frequently as every three minutes," said Adam Lisberg, MTA Spokesman.